Tarpon Action Still Hot; Pacific Rainy

There is still plenty of tarpon action at Barra Colorado on the northern Caribbean coast, but mighty few anglers are here to take advantage of it.

Dan Wise reported from the Río Colorado Lodge that he had only one boat out last week, with Juan Adritico and his son Juan Jr. and daughterAlcira, and in two days they boated and released eight of 23 tarpon hooked.

Action continues at the river mouth and on the rip line just outside, but Dan said the water level in the river is rising again, and locals are able to get into the backwaters where they are finding plenty of rainbow bass and other small species for the kitchen.

Very few reports from the Pacific coast, but Sonny Kocsis, who operates the Wetass II, said Richard Chellemi out of Flamingo on the northern coast released five sails and a marlin last week on the Gamefisher II. Sonny will have his boat out of the water a few weeks for a new paint job and engine overhaul.

In Quepos, Jeanette Pérez of JP Sportfishing said lots of rain and rough water kicked up late last week, and very few boats are going out.

In the Golfito region, on the southern Pacific coast, Zancudo Lodge reported that heavy winds and a lot of rain have been taking a toll on anglers, with little action to report.

Mark Budnick wrote that he was in Costa Rica at the end of April for the Michigan Boys annual tournament, and was disappointed we didn’t report the tournament results. He said they managed 26 marlin releases, better than one each for the 20 teams, but the sails were not there.

Mark added that this was his 14th trip to Costa Rica and that he and a friend came down early and rented a car to see some other parts of the country.

“I cannot believe the rate at which they are building,” he said. “They are having rolling blackouts now, so what is it going to be like in a year or two? I can’t help but think they are going to ruin this little jewel of a country with all these condo and hotel complexes.”

“I look forward to reading your column online every week; it always reminds me of all the great times, fishing and friends I have enjoyed over the years,” Mark added, and asked if we would wish Angelo Nucci a happy 65th birthday (June 3) in our next column.

He wrote that Angelo started the Michigan Boys tournament in 1989 and has kept it together and well organized every year since, and a lot of guys have enjoyed great times and great fishing on the trips to Costa Rica because of his hard work.

Mark, we appreciate your e-mail. I tried without success to chase down Sonny for the final results, and at press time still didn’t know who won the tournament.

In any case, a very happy birthday,Angelo, from all your friends in Costa Rica.